July 1, 2025

City of Townsend

Council Meeting Minutes July 1, 2025

Call to Order:  Mayor Rauser called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.  Council members present were Angie Wintrow, JB Howick, Vivian Boaz, Doug Sitton, and Nate Brown.  Also in attendance were Andrew Herrick, Shawn Simon, Nichole Simon, Keith Borror, Noah Borror, David Kearns, Eric Crusch and Kari Williams.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all. 

Public Comment: 

Minutes from 6.17.25:  Angie made a motion to approve the minutes as presented.  Doug seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

Guests/Correspondence:

  • David Kearns asked to place a memorial bench in Heritage Park in honor of Bill & Anita Kearns.  He stated it will be the same bench that Kay Murray is putting in to honor Henry Murray.   JB made a motion to approve the request.  Vivian seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 
  • Fire Department -Shawn Simon spoke about a property at 416 N Oak Street, stating this property is a fire hazard due to the amount of firewood on the property.  JB stated that he called Shawn regarding this as it was brough to him from a citizen/neighbor.  Eric stated that this is completely unreasonable and unfounded as a lot of people heat their homes with firewood, so a lot of people and residents will have firewood on their property.  He stated that he himself has a lot of firewood. 
  • Sheriff’s Quarterly Report- Mark Wood gave the quarterly report for April-June 2025.  He stated that even though the Mill Levy failed, that it would not impact the services they provide to the City, since they have a contract with the City. 
  • Noah Borror-spoke on the playground equipment at McCarthy Park that was previously approved for his Eagle Scout project, however, now he wants to change the location of the footprint.  Eric stated that there are sprinkler lines and a septic system that will need to be taken into consideration for the placement of the playground equipment.  Angie made a motion to allow Noah to move forward with his Eagles Project.  JB asked if he could modify that motion stating to allow Noah to move forward with his Eagle’s project, pending Eric’s approval of everything going in as Public Works Director.  Vivian seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

Audit Report:  Mayor Rauser stated that this is the audit report for fiscal year ending June 2024.  Mayor Rauser read highlights from the report, which included pointing out the Management Discussion & Analysis along with the three audit findings and the corrective action that coincide with the findings.  She stated there is a copy of the audit report available at City Hall for the council and public to read. 

609 S Harrison Property:   Mayor Rauser stated that the lawyers proposed a date for the property owner to have the three trailers removed from the property by July 23, 2025.  JB asked if the property owner is still hoping that a Permit Application can be completed.  Mayor Rauser stated that the approval of the Permit Application will be the hardest.  Angie made a motion to approve the July 23rd deadline for the removal of the trailers from the property.  JB seconded the motion.  Angie, JB, Vivian, and Doug Siton voted in favor. Nate Brown abstained from voting.  Motion carried. 

June 2025 Claims:  JB made a motion to approve the claims for June.  Nate seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

Events Ordinance:  Mayor Rauser will follow up with this after reading comments from the City Attorney. 

Firework Ordinance:  Vivian stated this has been tabled for the time being.  Mayor Rauser stated that she had our compliance officer deliver the current Fireworks Ordinance to the various fireworks stands around town, and the ordinance was also posted to the City’s Facebook page. 

Ordinance Review:  Angie stated that the next thing on list for review is the Administration and Personnel Section.  She, JB, and Vivian will have a meeting together next week. 

Telecommunications:  JB stated that they’re making some progress.  He said it’s complicated when they’re looking at creating an ordinance that gives the City appropriate control and authorization over how the right of ways are being used.  He said they have a basic draft put together and will get together for a meeting the following week. 

Garbage Cans on Broadway:  Mayor Rauser asked Eric if the small cans on Broadway were covered during the Street Dance on Rodeo weekend.  Eric stated they were only covered during Fall Fest.  Eric suggested placing a 300 gallon can on the street during the Street Dance. 

Public Comment: 

Round Table:

  • Kari- no report.
  • Eric- stated that the pool was shut down today for administrative error with certifications from Lifeguard Pro.  It is open again now.  He also said that the City was gifted a half of a dump truck of hot asphalt from CAP Paving, so he was able to fill some pot holes around town.  Mayor Rauser asked about the complaint that was filed regarding the curb stops sticking out above the surface of the sidewalk on Broadway.  Eric said that he has a solution to make the curb stops flush with the sidewalks by cutting the pipes and adjusting them.  Mayor Rauser said that it’s good to move forward with this solution as we’ve had more than one person trip over those curb stops. 
  • Mayor Rauser– stated we received an email from Jeremy Fadness at WWC Engineering regarding a survey for the public to complete for the Housing Inventory.  She also received a letter from a solar farm wanting to put in a solar business on agricultural land.  The letter is premature since the solar bill has been vetoed by the governor.   
  • Nate asked about the utility bill on Chase Ragen’s Laundromat- Mayor Rauser stated that Chase has chosen to put a reducer on his line, so that will reduce the rate on his bill. 
  • Angie stated that she witnessed someone emptying trash from the trunk of a car into the dumpster near Mountie Moose Bakery. 
  • JB asked if the Water Rate Committee has determined what a gallon of water costs. 
  • Vivian asked about the sign on Front Street that the Chamber/Rotary put up near Heritage Park, as Dept of Transportation wanted the sign removed.  The issue has been resolved, and they will now be making more public service announcements on that sign. 

Adjournment:  Nate made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  JB seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion  carried.

Next meeting:  July 15, 2025